Huh ... interesting read. ESPN interviewed 15 participants from the All-Star weekend on who they would most want to see win a championship. KG got the most votes with Nash a close second. The comments from some of the players are interesting. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESPN

Ask the same question over and over, and sometimes the responses add up to a completely new answer.

I asked 15 of the All-Star Weekend participants whom they would want to see get a championship ring, other than themselves. Their responses showed players value the same things the fans do: effort, dedication and teamwork.

It didn't surprise me that the winner was Kevin Garnett. He is beloved and respected around the league. But I wasn't prepared for such a slim margin of victory or the identity of the runner-up: Steve Nash. You don't see people rushing to say they are big fans of his, much the same way people don't voluntarily say they love Lionel Richie songs, but they definitely don't change the radio station when he comes on.

Nash himself was surprised.

"I didn't know they cared," he said.

Garnett, meanwhile, appeared to be genuinely moved.

"That's shocking, actually," he said. "It feels great. It feels good to know that the people you play against or people you battle against actually have a level of respect or appreciation for certain things. That says a lot. It says a lot about the class and the character of this league."

Garnett received six votes to Nash's five.

Here are the explanations from the voters, first for runner-up Steve Nash:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESPN

Jason Kapono: "I like the way he goes about things. He's a great player, a great teammate. You never hear anything bad about him. I would love to see him get a chance to win it. He's done so much for the game. The way he goes about playing, he just keeps getting better and better each and every year. To go from a guy who was on the Phoenix Suns early on in his career and wasn't getting any time, to one of -- if not the -- best players in the game, just speaks to what kind of guy he is, the work ethic that he has."

Brandon Roy: "What he represents on the floor is just team basketball. He plays the game the right way. You want to see that rewarded. I would definitely like to see him win a championship. He's definitely faster and he's smaller, but the way he plays the game, I try to approach it the same way. When I watch him and I watch his heart and his fire, you definitely want to pull for a guy like that."

Tim Duncan: "Can I go with nobody? That's not an option? Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing Phoenix do it. Steve's been incredible for many years. He just hasn't been able to get over the hump for one reason or another. As good as he is, I'd love to see him win it."

Dwight Howard: "I guess Steve Nash. He's got two MVP trophies. They've been winning 50, 60 games for a while now. They've been so close every year, and I know if that was me, I would want all the support I could get from people."

Chris Bosh: "He's won two MVPs; I'm sure he'd like to get some extra hardware."

Here are the explanations from the voters, for the winner KG:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESPN

Deron Williams: "I'm a big fan of his. I've been a fan since I was young. Just the way he plays the game, the passion. I would like to see him win one."

Allen Iverson: "All the hard work and dedication that he put in, you want to see a guy like that get it. He's a team player. He's a great basketball player. And I'm cool with him, also."

Carlos Boozer: "After the Utah Jazz, if we don't win one, I would like to see KG win one, just because I'm a crazy KG fan. Growing up watching him, playing against him, he brings it every night, always passionate about the game. Just one of those guys that, as a basketball fan, you want to see him win championships. But that's only if we get eliminated, and we're not going to get eliminated, baby."

Chris Paul: "Every time we play against each other, since I've been in the league, we almost get into it. I think it's just that competitive nature. But I don't think anybody in the league plays with as much emotion and passion as KG. When I watch him playing, I see myself in that he doesn't want to lose. I'd definitely want to see someone like that win a championship, because I know he deserves it and he's worked hard for it."

Carmelo Anthony: " Out of all the guys in the NBA, he's been doing it for a long, long time. Right now, he has a shot at it. He put a lot of years in this league, day in and day out. A lot of minutes, a lot of work. I just want to see him rewarded."

Antawn Jamison cast the deciding vote, but only after he was forced to make a decision.

"Steve taught me a lot," said Jamison, who played with Nash in Dallas. "He accepted me with open arms, and he wanted me to be successful. I'm a firm believer the reason I got the sixth man of the year award is because of him. I would really like to see him get one because of the type of person he is.

"And KG, we've been battling since high school. I love his passion for the game of basketball. I love what he represents. The guy has been through a lot. It would be nice to see him hold the trophy up and get the credit that he deserves as well."

You have to choose one. NBA Finals, Celtics versus Suns, Game 7, one of them hits the winning shot.

"Ahhh, man," Jamison said. "Seven games? I don't know, man …

"I'll say KG. Of course, you want to see the winner come out of the conference you play in."

And now we see the hidden benefit of Garnett's trade to the Celtics. Not only does he have a better shot at a championship, he has one more person rooting for him to get it.

Do you any of you like me see a pattern on the kind of players that choose garnett and the ones that choose nash?

pimpery

02-20-2008 09:59 PM

nice guys finish last, go lebron "cabron" james!!

Belsius

02-20-2008 10:53 PM

yeah cause magic, bird, kareem, duncan, Russel, etc are all cabrones.

pimpery

02-21-2008 12:10 AM

NBA is great at marketing images, the truth is you dont really know how alot of these guys are behind closed doors, with that said, Jordan was definately a Cabron, agreed?

That comment was mostly tongue n cheek haha but if you cant see the joke o well ;)

Benzo

02-21-2008 12:12 AM

Jordan was a douche. and Lebron has one as many NBA titles as me.

pimpery

02-21-2008 12:26 AM

But has one more East title then you :P

You can hate him as a person, but to say he hasnt won a title so he isnt great is kinda crazy considering his age and how good he already is, can you really tell me you dont envision him being the best all around player in the world (if he isnt already) for along time, and good players eventually migrating towards him knowing he can take a crappy team to the finals, he can definately take a good one to the promised land, just give him a good team :D I would bet the farm that this guy wins multiple championships b4 all is said in done, barring a freak injury.

Benzo

02-21-2008 12:28 AM

As long as Kobe is in the NBA. Lebron will be #2.

and I hate Kobe alot more than the King.

I have a sneaking feeling though that the Portland Trail Blazers may have alot to say in the years to come regarding championships...just my humble opinion.

pimpery

02-21-2008 12:50 AM

Would you agree LeBron has gotten better every year? I mean its scary how much better he is this year then last, and last year he lead his team to the finals. Honestly, ive never seen a kid this age be like him, he has that competition asshole i wanna be the best Jordan mentality, and i just think he will continue to get better and better to the point that he will be much better then any1 in the world (including Kobe), its hard looking at him to keep in mind his age, cuz he looks and plays like a grown man.